The City co-funded campaign to sterilise nearly 1 500 cats and dogs in Atlantis is heading for the home stretch in record time. Read more below:

A mass animal sterilisation campaign being run in two Atlantis suburbs on behalf of the City of Cape Town is heading into its final stages, thanks to overwhelming community support.

The City’s Health Department initiated the first sterilisation project in 2013, providing grant-in-aid funding to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and members of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum to sterilise dogs and cats in identified areas. To date, City Health has provided funding of more than R1,5 million for projects in Dunoon, Brown’s Farm, Khayelitsha and Wesbank to have 4 580 pets sterilised. Continue reading →

It was inevitable. How dare Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula do his job and hold sports federations accountable to targets they had agreed upon with regards to transformation…

The expected outcry to Mbalula’s decision to revoke the right of four federations – Athletics South Africa, Cricket South Africa, Netball South Africa and the South African Rugby Union – to bid for future international events, due to their failure to adhere to a transformation agreement, came out in full force on social media and the established media.

Unfortunately, one of our cricketing greats, Jacques Kallis, put his foot in it in voicing his displeasure with Mbalula’s move by tweeting (@jacqueskallis75): “So sad that i find myself embarrassed to call myself a South African so often these days #no place for politics in sport”

For someone like Kallis – who benefited from endless opportunities to establish himself in the Proteas team at the start of his career despite several failures – to speak out against a policy that aims to provide all South Africans with the same, equal chance is disingenuous and insensitive.

Johannesburg – The African National Congress has brought a case of treason against EFF leader Julius Malema after he threatened a violent overthrow of the government, the party’s spokesman said on Monday.

The move follows an interview that Malema gave to Al Jazeera television on Sunday in which he said that if the government used violence to suppress protest “we will remove this government through the barrel of a gun”.

The Draft Budget for the 2016/17 to 2018/19 financial year for the City of Cape Town’s Human Settlements Directorate proposes more than R333 million spend on the provision of services to Council-unit backyard dwellers and the upgrade of informal settlements across the metro. The approval of the Draft Budget as well as community consultation are required for the final identification of the projects. Read more below:

For the first year (2016/17), it is proposed that the Human Settlements Directorate will spend approximately R134 million on backyarder and informal settlement upgrade projects across the city, including in 8ste Laan (Valhalla Park) Kalkfontein (Kuils River) and Sweet Homes (Philippi). Continue reading →

SA Rugby on Monday acknowledged the findings of the Eminent Persons’ Group report on Transformation for 2014/15 and the sanction imposed by Mr Fikile Mbalula, Minister for Sports and Recreation.

SA Rugby, as well as Cricket South Africa, Netball SA and Athletics South Africa, had revoked their privilege of “hosting and bidding for major and mega international tournaments in South Africa as a consequence of…not meeting their own set transformation targets”, said the minister. The decision would be reconsidered at the next reporting of the EPG, which is expected in November.

“We understand and support the Minister’s urgency in addressing the issue of transformation,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.

“There is no question that we have more work to do and we could be moving faster, but our sport has undergone a major overhaul in how we do business and how we measure ourselves in the past two or three years and we have definitely made great progress.

“Transformation is a key strategic imperative for SA Rugby to remain competitive and to survive in the sports landscape in our country. Continue reading →

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux confirmed on Monday that Rassie Erasmus (GM: Rugby) has accepted a new position as director of rugby at Munster in Ireland. He will take up his new position following the Springboks’ home series against Ireland in June.

Erasmus, a former Springbok captain, has led the Rugby Department for the past four years, introducing a number of new structures and innovations.

“I’d like to thank Rassie for the massive contribution he has made in establishing the Rugby Department and ensuring SA Rugby remain leaders on and off the field,” said Roux.

“It will be difficult to replace Rassie, but we’ll make an appointment in due course. The Rugby Department is functioning extremely well with experts at all levels ensuring the department runs smoothly on a daily basis. Continue reading →

“We regret to announce with a heavy heart that Billy has passed away today at home after a serious medical condition,” the statement reads.

“We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Blanche and family for their loss, as they and the world grieves the loss of another musical icon that helped pioneered todays R&B music. Billy will be truly missed. Please share you thought [sic], messages and stories of Billy as we remember this legendary artist, family member and friend,” it continues.

Paul’s manager, Beverly Gay, confirmed his passing to NBC10. She stated that Paul (born Paul Williams) died at his home in in Blackwood, N.J., after being diagnosed with cancer and hospitalized a week ago at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

The iconic musician was found dead at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota

Prince Rogers Nelson, the icon known to the world simply as Prince, has died, TMZ reports. He was found this morning at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was 57 years old. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but last week, Prince had been on a flight home from Atlanta when his pilot was forced to make anemergency landing to take Prince to the hospital. A representative said he had the flu.

Born in Minneapolis, the iconic musician released 39 studio albums throughout his prolific career, including two in 2015: HITNRUN Phase One and Two. His most iconic release may be 1984’s Purple Rain, as well as the film of the same name. Pitchfork named the title track the best song of the 1980s.

Cape Town – As inconvenient as they may seem, roadblocks exist to ensure the safety and well-being of all road users, especially during peak traffic hours, holiday periods and over weekends.

Knowing your rights as a road user as well as the best approach to dealing with the situation is critical in SA.

Arrive Alive editor Johan Jonck said: “It is important that road users reduce the anger caused by delays as a result of roadblocks through a better understanding of why they are necessary. Roadblocks should not be seen as merely a fine collection or a money-generating exercise, but as something that is important for the safety of all road users.”